WELCOME TO THE UNIQUE SCREENPLAY PREMIERE COMPETITION
THE NEW YORK SCRIPT AWARDS – MORE THAN 100 POSITIVE REVIEWS

“The New York Script Awards have established themselves as a beacon for recognizing and celebrating excellence in filmmaking. Their commitment to curating outstanding films and providing a platform for independent filmmakers is commendable. By offering opportunities for emerging talents to showcase their work, the New York Script Awards contribute significantly to the diversification of the film industry. The organization's dedication to promoting unique voices and stories is evident in its careful selection of films that may otherwise go unnoticed.“ Vigiel Bose, screenwriter and actor

New York Script Awards is an IMDb-qualifying festival that presents the best screenwriters in the world. The LIVE TABLE READING category offers screenwriters the rare opportunity to hear their work performed by seasoned professionals. We are proud to collaborate with FRIGID - New York Independent Theater Company, who will be conducting a live reading of winning script. This session provides the winning author with invaluable insight into their work through the lens of a renowned New York-based theatrical ensemble.

Your story deserves to be seen by those who shape the industry. Our reviewers are not just experts; they are celebrated showrunners and industry veterans with Oscar and BAFTA pedigrees. We pride ourselves on being a launching pad for screenwriters, offering active promotion and strategic introductions to major studios and producers long after the final curtain falls. With a track record of Alumni reaching Oscar and BAFTA qualifications, we provide a proven pathway to global recognition.

MEET OUR JURIES
◆ Tom Van Avermaet (Belgium) - Academy Award nominee for Best Live Action Short; Winner of the European Film Award for Best Short Film (Death of a Shadow); latest film selected at 100+ festivals and shortlisted for the 2024 Academy Awards
◆ Ronika Merl is an award-winning Irish screenwriter. Having placed highly in both the Finalist Academy Nicholl Fellowship as well as the Austin Film Festival in 2019, she has since expanded her slate to contain more than 22 feature-length scripts. She has worked with an Oscar-winning producer (an Oscar winner is producing her upcoming feature "The Closing").
◆ Hank Rion is an Associate Professor of Theatre and the Artistic Director of Peach State Summer Theatre at Valdosta State University. He premiered a production of the musical “Cry Baby” with Adam Schlesinger, which is now being licensed worldwide through Music Theatre International. He has also worked on a version of “The Witches of Eastwick” for MTI.
◆ John Galvan is an award-winning American screenwriter. He is also the author of The Places I've Peed, an art and travel coffee table book that has received rave reviews on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. He is also a former winner of the New York Script Awards for Best Television Screenplay.
◆ Donia Youssef, an award-winning author, screenwriter and visionary. Her portfolio includes over 30 award-winning works, reflecting her versatility and passion for writing. Her scripts have been recognized at several film festivals and competitions, strengthening her reputation across both literature and screenwriting. Donia won the New York Script Awards 2023 in the category Best Female Screenwriter.
◆ Lu Meng (United States) - New York University filmmaker; Winner at New York Script Awards 2026 for Short Treatment.
◆ Anna Blackblum (United States) - Winner at New York Script Awards for Best Foreign Screenplay; Winner Best Horror Screenplay at Los Angeles Short Film Awards.
◆ Alla Komanovsky (United States) - Award-winning screenwriter; Winner at New York Script Awards 2026 for Super Short Screenplay.
◆ Mike Bevins (United States) - Screenwriter of multiple feature and short scripts; Winner at New York Script Awards 2026 for Short Script.
◆ Dale Wolf (United States) - Winner at New York Script Awards 2026 for Queer Screenplay.
◆ Samuel Ater (United States) - Winner at New York Script Awards 2026 for Comedy Screenplay.

Film producers are always looking for new talent. That’s why we created an online screenplay library, where scripts by screenwriters are available to film directors and producers. We are currently promoting more than 70 screenwriters. Join them and YOU! More information in the category: WANT TO SELL YOUR SCRIPT?

WHY SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT TO THE NEW YORK SCRIPT AWARDS?

Prestige and Exposure: The New York Script Awards is a renowned competition that attracts attention from the film and television industry. Participation can significantly boost your script and open the door to new opportunities.

Feedback: Standard contest submission includes up to 3 pages of major Hollywood studio-style coverage, with a 10-point professional analysis of character, conflict, marketability, dialogue, emotional investment, theme/premise, pacing, structure/plot, tone, and concept. Available in the category: Short Entry + Pro Analysis.

Career Growth: Participating in and potentially succeeding in a competition can strengthen your career as a screenwriter. Winning or being nominated is a valuable addition to your professional portfolio.

Possible Opportunities: Even participating can lead to new opportunities. If your script impresses the jury, it may attract interest from studios, producers, or managers.

$10,000 WORTH OF PRIZES IN SERVICES: Winners in the categories Feature Script, Television Script, Short Script, Super Short Script, and First-Time Screenwriter receive prizes in the form of services, including an interview (typically valued at $99 USD) and a free entry for the following year’s LIVE TABLE READING (standard price $85 USD). The New York Script Awards redistributes over $10,000 worth of services annually.

The best scripts receive educational courses, reviews, promotional opportunities, and interviews from our competition.

Experience and Challenge: The process of participating in a competition is both challenging and educational, helping screenwriters grow and develop their craft.

Social Networking: Competitions like the New York Script Awards provide opportunities to connect with industry professionals and build valuable long-term relationships.

Participating in the New York Script Awards is an excellent opportunity to gain prestige, engage with industry experts, and advance your screenwriting career. Your work deserves recognition, and this competition can be the key to future success.

LET YOUR TALENT SHINE AND LET THE WORLD SEE YOUR EXTRAORDINARY WORK!

Awards & Prizes

🏆 BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• IT APPLIES TO THE CATEGORY: FEATURE SCREENPLAY

🏆 BEST TV PILOT SCREENPLAY
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• IT APPLIES TO THE CATEGORY: TV PILOT SCREENPLAY

🏆 BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• IT APPLIES TO THE CATEGORY: SHORT SCREENPLAY

🏆 BEST NEW WAVE FEATURE SCREENPLAY AWARD
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• IT APPLIES TO THE CATEGORY: First Time Screenwriter (Feature), UK Feature Screenplay, Feature Treatment, Best First 10 Pages, Stage Play, Drama Screenplay, Comedy Screenplay, HASTFW Screenplay (Horror, Action, Sci-fi, Thriller, Fantasy, Western), Queer Screenplay, War Screenplay, Foreign Screenplay (non UK/USA and Australia screenwriter)

🏆 BEST NEW WAVE SHORT SCREENPLAY AWARD
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• IT APPLIES TO THE CATEGORY: Super Short Screenplay (under 10 pages), First Time Screenwriter (Short), UK Short Screenplay, Drama Screenplay, Comedy Screenplay, HASTFW Screenplay (Horror, Action, Sci-fi, Thriller, Fantasy, Western), Queer Screenplay, War Screenplay, Foreign Screenplay (non UK/USA and Australia screenwriter)

Rules & Terms

All writers of submitted material must be 18 years of age or older
• Entries must be in English
• Submissions via PDF file only
• Resubmits/changes incur additional fee
• Produced/optioned or otherwise encumbered scripts are ineligible
• All submitted materials must be the original work of the author(s)
• Adaptations of prior works must give source material credit
• Decisions of judges are final as per industry criteria
• Pages should be numbered.
• Full-Length Feature Scripts: 160 pages or under
• Short Film Scripts: 40 pages or under
• TV Pilots: 130 pages or under
• All written or verbal coverage, critique, criticism, or analysis of submitted material is provided subjectively based upon objective standards as they are applied to the writing submitted and under consideration.
• No warranties are expressed or implied as to the utility, value, or accuracy of statements written or spoken by our reader-analysts with regard to material submitted to us by writers, customers, or contest entrants.
• Comments provided by judges, readers, administrators, or other writers are based upon personal opinion only and do not reflect the opinions of management; management assumes no responsibility the academic, creative, professional, economic, or emotional impact or consequences of the opinions we provide.
• Submitting writers agree to hold harmless against claims of any and every kind, each and every employee, independent contractor, reader, analyst, system administrator, or officers of the company in perpetuity.
• By entering this contest or any others with which Best Script Awards – London is affiliated, you agree to receive email marketing messages and updates relative to this contest and any affiliated sources and providers from us. You may opt out/unsubscribe from those messages and marketing protocols at any time simply by letting us know at info@bestscriptawards.com
• We welcome applications from registered organizations and professional representatives.
• Material submitted to the competition is solely at the risk of the individual registering, entering, or offering written material for scoring, analysis, judgment, or commentary.
• Once submitted material has been read, reviewed, analyzed, critiqued, scored, or commented upon by agents, employees, representatives, or management of the company, no refund of entry fee will be made.
• Sundance Membership is only awarded to annual winners, not seasonal.
234 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Hospitality
Networking
  • Thomas Zimmerman

    It was an honor to be selected as a finalist in the NY Script Awards; communication was excellent throughout, and I appreciate that the judges clearly read my script and recognized its merits.

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Paul Alan Gober

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "An Elite Launchpad with Masterclass Industry Vetting

    As an award-winning genre creator, I find that navigating the festival circuit requires finding platforms that offer genuine industry currency rather than just digital certificates. The New York Script Awards stand out as an absolute beacon of excellence and a premier launchpad for screenwriters looking to break into global distribution channels.

    My pilot, DEAD EAST: Nippon Flight 319, was honored as an official Award Winner in the TV Pilot (Horror) Category [🏆]. The experience has been incredibly high leverage. This is an IMDb-qualifying festival backed by a fierce, carefully curated evaluation process. Their jury panel is unmatched, featuring Oscar and BAFTA nominees, Academy Nicholl Fellowship final-rounders, and renowned theatrical artistic directors. To have a visceral, high-concept survival thriller vetted and championed by minds of this caliber provides immediate, studio-grade validation that carries massive weight when pitching to Hollywood management and production teams.

    Beyond the prestige of the award itself, the New York Script Awards genuinely fights for its alumni. Their collaborative partnerships, such as live table readings with the renowned FRIGID theater ensemble, and their proactive digital screenplay library offer independent creators active, long-term exposure to directors and producers hunting for package-ready intellectual property. They do not just hand out laurels; they build a proven pathway to global recognition. If you want your story evaluated by celebrated industry showrunners who actively shape the entertainment landscape, the New York Script Awards is an absolute must-submit.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We truly appreciate your support and are delighted that the festival proved to be a rewarding part of your creative journey.

  • Alexandr Levin

    It is a great honor to be selected as a semifinalist for this prestigious festival. The team kindly informed me that my short script has reached the semifinals and is now a candidate for the final round. But that is not all. They have also graciously invited me to submit my feature-length screenplay for consideration in the Live Table Reading competition.

    I am currently working on the second draft, and once I complete it, I will certainly submit it to this wonderful festival.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words. We are delighted to hear that the experience has been encouraging, and we look forward to following your future work as it continues to develop.

  • Anselmo Garcia

    It was a gratifying experience making it to the finals. The New York Script Awards are well organized.
    Congratulations to the winners.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the experience and appreciated the organization of the festival. We wish you continued success with your future writing projects.

  • Eugene Hattingh

    I had a fantastic experience submitting to the New York Script Awards. I am incredibly honored that both of my screenplays—my horror-comedy feature, Escape to Alcatraz, and my character drama, 7 D.B.S.—advanced to the Semi-Finals in their respective categories.

    While neither project advanced past the Semi-Finalist round this time around, the competition was fierce and the festival team was incredibly professional throughout the entire process.

    Notification timelines were completely accurate, and the communication was clear and prompt. It is a wonderful, highly competitive platform for independent writers looking to test their material and gain meaningful circuit recognition.

    I highly recommend this festival to any screenwriter and look forward to submitting future projects!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words. It is always encouraging to hear that the festival has been a valuable part of a writer’s creative journey, and we look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.